This past holiday season, American Eagle Outfitters Inc.’s Marketing Coordinator for Social Media contacted me after finding my 32aabra review of Aerie sports bras. She told me that they are fans of 32aabra at the American Eagle headquarters, and graciously sent me merchandise from Aerie’s limited edition holiday line to review. Incidentally, I have not been able to complete the review until now due to personal reasons. I am nevertheless honored to publish my review of the beautiful merchandise that I received from my Aerie (Faerie) Godmother.

I received four bra and panty sets, as well as additional panties that I will also review. The particular bra styles that I received are Emma and Maddie, both classified as “Woah” according to the Aerie push-up scale. I received two Emmas and two Maddies, but as all of the bras look very different from one another in spite of sharing the same fit prototypes, I have given them additional titles for clarity. I received all bras in size 32AA, and all underwear in size XS. (For reference, my go-to bra is the Little Bra Company’s Angela in size 30A.)

As you will see, I fully unleashed my creative juices in this review, which I prelude with a Spenserian sonnet (rhyme scheme abab bcbc cdcd ee, iambic pentameter). I really had fun writing this sonnet, and if you’re a literary nerd like me, feel free to dissect my verse form (I went a little rogue with the iambic pentameter in some lines).

And for those of you who just want to get on to the review already—I’m warning you, it is rather long by virtue of my having so much cool merchandise to review, so if you’re a tl;dr sort of reader, you can also scroll down to read the recap at the end of the review.

Without further ado, I introduce you to my sonnet about Aerie Godmother and the Aerie Faeries. Aerie Godmother, seeing that I have not bought myself anything pretty in a very long time, compassionately commissioned the Aerie Faeries to create these brilliant limited edition bra and panty sets and to deliver them to little me.

I’m totally excited right now because Mallory K., our petite contact at Aerie, has just shared some very helpful information on which of the newest Aerie bras are likely to fit best on us Itty Bitty Bra Committee members.

Both the Aerie Scarlet and Harper bras run small in the cups, I’ve found.

I prefer the Scarlet. She has the adjustable front cleavage, and the shape of the cup is actually a lot like the Emma – only not nearly as pointy! It gives a nice roundish shape.

Finding a sports bra that is flattering rather than flattening persists as a challenge for the petite and those endowed with a delicate décolletage.

Aerie Low Impact Padded Sports Bra

Some months ago I scoured stores for affordable, tiny sports bras (affordable and tiny? Sounds like an oxymoron). I navigated deep waters in Old Navy, Target, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls, struggling to stay afloat in sports bras cut on a non-petite scale. A bralette/training bra contraption in the children’s section at Walmart hugged my tiny rib cage well; but after examining myself from all possible angles in the fitting room, I left feeling defeated.

During my exodus to the Walmart parking lot, I lamented that I would likely have to succumb to looking like a prepubescent eight year old in my adult ballet class. I experienced an epiphany, however, as the Florida sunshine infused my brain with rays of hope: “Aerie carries sports bras!”

While the smallest band size that Aerie offers in push-up styles is too large for me, I hoped XXS in sports bras might fit. I ordered three of Aerie’s Low Impact Sports Bras, which feature removable padding and adjustable straps.

I do not like to wear underwire bras during the summer. In cooler weather, I like the support and shaping that wires provide, but when it’s ninety degrees in the shade… no thanks.

What is it, exactly, that the world fears will happen if our breasts are left to their own devices… without a harness or a gag? Are our womanly parts really so threatening that the lingerie market can’t even stand to acknowledge us? How sad. They’d profit more if they could adopt a more open-minded perspective.

I think my top choice for staying cool and dry is cotton. However, there are drawbacks to this sturdy natural fabric. For one thing, it doesn’t stretch or flex very well.

A bra made of rayon or nylon/spandex microfiber can be just as comfortable and cool, as long as it is lightweight and free of foam lining. One example is the Cosabella “Never Say Never Sweetie” lace bralette, shown at top left.

The lovely Mallory K. is with us once again to review the latest bra from American Eagle Aerie: the Mia, a convertible push-up style. Those of you who have been looking for a strapless bra with some padding should certainly give Mia a try. If you wear a size AA, you may need to order it from the company website, as many Aerie stores don’t carry anything under an A cup. Fortunately, the Mia is currently 40% off with free shipping! Have fun. And now, over to Mallory.

I am very excited to tell you a bit about Aerie’s new bra from firsthand experience.

The Mia is a multi-way push-up bra that mixes all the best elements of the Emma and Abigail. Mia features convertible straps that can go 8 different ways: classic, strapless, racer back, halter, v-front halter, v-front classic, 1 cross-strap, and 1 shoulder. Like the Emma, Mia also has removable air pads which give you a “Whoa” level of push (the second-heaviest level of padding that Aerie offers).

My previous favorite bra at Aerie – and the only one I used to be able to wear – was the Abigail. Then we launched the Mia a couple weeks ago. I didn’t think I was going to like it because of the air pads. But I tried it on so I would be able to give customers a good idea of how it fits. This bra fits snug. When I tried on the 32AA (the sister size to my ideal 30A), I actually got that dreaded double-bubble I constantly warn customers about! I don’t think I can accurately convey the ecstasy I felt. I haven’t spilled out of a cup my entire life!

Valentine’s Day is almost as big a deal as Christmas when you sell (or market, or write about) bras and lingerie. I feel like it has been February 14, 2012 for the past two months. To be perfectly honest, I’m sick to death of it.

But please don’t think this means I don’t love you guys. Hence the impossibly cute picture of little animals cuddling. If this photo doesn’t make you feel all warm inside, you probably have no soul. (But please don’t think this means I… right. Let’s move on, shall we?)

Whether you celebrate the Hallmark holiday or not, have fun. Don’t forget to get yourself a present! Then, come see us over at 32aa Bra’s Facebook page and tell us what you got.

Can’t think of anything you want? Lame. (No, not really. I’m just jealous because I never have this problem.) Here’s an idea: Aerie bras are on sale for 40 percent off today. Take this opportunity to try the new Maddie, their latest push-up. You’ll find a quick review of the Aerie Maddie bra after the jump.

Editor’s note: I am pleased to bring you this update on American Eagle Aerie bras, written by guest author Mallory K. She found our page on Facebook, and it only took one conversation with Mallory for me to recognize how well she was going to fit in (literally; she’s a 30A) with our itty bitty tribe here at 32aa Bra. Aerie fans, this one’s for you; enjoy. –Amanda

I work for American Eagle Aerie, and I wanted to update you guys on some of the new Aerie bras that have been released over the past year. Finding bras online that fit just right is tough, and sometimes bras even vary in size within the same brand — so we’d love to have you stop by an Aerie store for a personalized fitting. Check our website to find one in your area.

Drew: “The Party Girl”

Double Whoa!

Coming in as a Double Whoa, Drew is the most push up that Aerie offers in a bra. She adds two cup sizes! Drew is very similar to the VS Miraculous bra, but in my experience it’s a lot softer and more comfortable to wear.

Drew does start at a 32AA; however, like the Aerie Emma bra, this one can be an awkward fit in the smaller cup sizes. There is so much padding that even on full A-cup breasts, it tends to gap at the tops of the cups.

I adore cherry prints. Unfortunately, cherries seem to show up mostly on dresses that are cut in the classic 1940s hourglass shape… not such a flattering style on petite slender women.

What’s a flat-chested wannabe pin-up girl to do?

So as soon as I saw this new version of the Aerie Katie bra, I pounced. It’s definitely more sweet than sexy, and I’ll never be mistaken for a ’40s vixen wearing this. My boyfriend laughed when he saw it, actually… and then he went “awww.”

Not quite the reaction you want from a guy when he sees your bra, right? “Aww” is what people say when they see pictures of kittens and baby ducks.

Oh well. I’ll settle for cute when I have to, especially when there is lace trim involved. But the matching bikini seems like overkill. I’ll wear it with my sheer black OnGossamer tanga instead, just to remind myself (and my boyfriend) how old I really am.

I’ve just unleashed a boatload of American Eagle Aerie bras in sizes 32AA and 34AA on eBay. Be sure to take note of my combined shipping discount! Also, I accept returns for a full refund of the purchase price minus shipping. These all start at $9.99.

I don’t know how the weather is over by you, but here in Boston we are well aware that summer has arrived… and it’s getting out of hand. It’s not the heat I mind so much as the humidity — the sweaty/sticky factor that makes you want to rip all of your clothes off, all the time.

So I’m kind of on a mission to see how little I can get away with wearing out in public. I’m doing the bra-as-crop-top thing on a regular basis, as well as the girl-boxers-as-real-shorts thing. This is a nice advantage of being small-busted: it’s pretty hard for a body like mine to shock anyone, no matter how inappropriate or skimpy my attire.

Anyway. So here’s what I look for in summer bras: breathable fabrics (cotton, mesh nylon, silk); a range of blissful summery colors, from basic solids to playful prints; and simple, lightweight styles with minimal padding and other such nonsense.

That’s why I’m all about these two Aerie bras, soon to be added in the store:

Aerie Katie polka dot bra in aqua/orange

Aerie Hannah Cotton Bra

Both are sold out in size AA on the AE website. The Katie bra is simply delicious in aqua and white, with just a bit of orange lace trim and a delicate, sheer center bow. Hannah in basic navy cotton is a nice alternative to black microfiber for hot weather — it’s a bit softer, more breathable, and less formal.